Douglas Sprey sailed on his final patrol October 3, 2024. He passed away at the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring under the care of Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

Born on December 28, 1931, Doug was a lifelong sailor. Immediately after high school graduation in 1950, he joined the US navy and served on both surface ships and submarines for 28 years. He put the Seawolf (SSN 575) in commission. His next assignment was the commissioning of the Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619). He served two tours during the Viet Nam War, one with the Riverine Division and the second aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61).

In 1974 Doug was proud to earn his B.A. in political science at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, where he settled his family. He served as Chief Engineer on USS Vancouver two years and USS San Diego also for two years. When his navy career ended, he continued to sea as a licensed marine engineer with the Merchant Marines for another 14 years.

Doug lived his life with love, laughter, hard work and fun. He never missed an opportunity to tell his family how proud of them he was. He enjoyed living on the seacoast and hosted family and friends on his sailboats. Skiing, diving, traveling and tennis were other great joys to Doug.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Laflin) Sprey and his sister, Joan Sprey.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Jane (Jennie) Ellis with who he shared his happiest years, two daughters and four stepchildren: Victoria (Patrick) Dunn of Hollister, CA; Valerie (Eric) Tate of El Dorado Hills, CA; William (Samantha JorDan) McClellan of Herndon, VA; Laura Lynch of Kemblesville, PA; Andrew McClellan of Santa Rosa, CA; and Charles McClellan (Terri Kilmartin) of Auckland, NZ. Doug’s grandchildren are Jason and Ryan Dunn, Courtney Wilson, Danielle and Tanya Vincent and Grace Garibaldi. Great grandchildren are Marissa and Mylah Dunn, Benjamin Wilson, Evelyn and Calvin Dunn.

A celebration of life will be held in California in the spring.

In remembrance of Doug’s remarkable life contributions may be made to the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring at 1348 South 18th Street Bldg B, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.